QUETTA: The Balochistan government has allowed the sale of urea fertiliser in 17 additional districts, expanding a conditional relaxation of restrictions to 19 districts following protests by farmers over disruptions to agricultural activities.
According to a report by Profit by Pakistan Today, the provincial Agriculture Department issued the decision on Monday, responding to complaints from farmers about restrictions introduced in August.
The newly included districts range from Hub and Quetta to Panjgur, while Nasirabad and Lasbela were already covered under the earlier relaxation.
Under the revised arrangement, fertiliser dealers can sell urea only through approved procedures and under official monitoring. They must also maintain detailed records of transactions, including the quantities sold to individual farmers.
Officials from the Agriculture Department, district administrations and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with monitoring fertiliser stocks, sales and transportation to prevent unauthorised diversion.
Authorities have warned that violations will be reported and dealers found breaching the prescribed procedures could face cancellation of their licences.
Why Were Urea Sales Restricted?
The original restrictions were introduced in August amid security concerns that fertiliser could be diverted for use in manufacturing explosive devices.
However, the measures disrupted access to an essential agricultural input, affecting farming activities in several parts of Balochistan and prompting protests from farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
The latest decision provides conditional relief to farmers in 17 additional districts while retaining monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent the misuse of fertiliser.
